Located in central Nagano Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu, Nagano City is best known internationally as the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Today it’s a major hub for winter sports, making it the perfect base for exploring some of Japan’s best ski resorts from world-class powder zones to charming local hills. Thanks to reliable train and bus connections from Tokyo and beyond, it’s easy to reach Nagano and then branch out daily to nearby ski areas.
Explore some of the region’s best ski resorts while staying in central Nagano City for its plentiful accommodations, dining options and access to great winter sightseeing spots.
Your Next Skiing Destination: Nagano City
Ski Resort Map
Why Stay in Nagano City for Skiing?
While further from the slopes than local accommodations in Hakuba, Nozawa or Shiga Kogen, Nagano City is within an hour by car of most of the region’s ski resorts and has a wide range of hotels with availability even during the height of the winter season.
In addition, it is a great travel hub for sightseeing around the prefecture, like Zenkoji Temple, the shrines of Togakushi, the hot-spring bathing snow monkeys, the charming town of Obuse, Matsumoto Castle and more.
During your stay, you can choose from a wide range of restaurants and bars to cap off a long day of skiing, from traditional Japanese cuisine and izakaya pubs to authentic Italian pizzerias, craft breweries and a wide range of international fare.
Ski Resort Access from Nagano City
Many of Nagano’s—and some of Niigata’s—most well-known ski resorts are within an hour by car from Nagano City. By public transportation, quite a few are accessible by direct bus while others require a bus or taxi transfer. Below, we’ll introduce each resort with access information from Nagano Station. For public transportation, we also include the total travel time (including waiting time) for the first arrival of the day.
Greater Nagano City Area
Togakushi Ski Resort (Nagano City)
Togakushi Ski Resort is one of Nagano City’s own ski resorts and is accessible by bus from Nagano Station. It stretches between Mt. Kenashi and Mt. Meno, offering an array of intermediate and expert courses, as well as several long beginner courses including the “Ninja Slope,” with several obstacles, waves and banks for the kids to enjoy. The resort faces the mountains of Mt. Togakushi, and on a good day, has excellent views of the Northern Japanese Alps fading towards the horizon.
At a base altitude of 1,200 meters, the resort has high quality snow throughout the season.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/8:17, Total Travel Time/77 min.)
From Nagano Station, take the local Togakushi line bus (77 min.).
By Car
It is 45 to 50 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Togakushi Ski Resort taking either the Togakushi line (Nagano City Rte. 105) or Asakawa Loop Line (Nagano Pref. Rte. 506). The former has a section of seven tight turns up the mountain, so we recommend the latter for most drivers.
Iizuna Resort (Nagano City)
At just 30 minutes by car from Nagano Station, Iizuna Resort is the closest ski resort on this list. It is a smaller resort with 8 courses, a kids’ park and a snow activity area. It also offers night skiing from 18:00 to 22:00 on Tuesdays to Saturdays (excepting a few maintenance periods).
Access
By Public Transportation
Take a 30-minute taxi from Nagano Station to Iizuna Resort.
By Car
30 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Iizuna Resort. Like Togakushi Ski Resort above, we recommend taking the Asakawa Loop Line (Nagano Pref. Rte. 506) to the resort.
Yamaboku Wild Snow Park (Takayama Village)
A smaller resort with only three chairlifts, Yamaboku Wild Snow Park is popular with those who want to get away from the busier resorts while enjoying some powder to boot. Most of the slopes are free of trees, and large sections of ungroomed snow are open to ride around in.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/7:42 or 8:35, Total Travel Time/68 min.)
Take the Nagano Dentetsu train line from Nagano Station to Suzaka Station. From there, take a 35-minute taxi to Yamaboku Wild Snow Park.
By Car
60 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Yamaboku. The last leg of the drive past Yamada Onsen follows a winding mountain road that can be difficult to drive in inclement weather.
The Hakuba Valley
Ten ski resorts extend along the base of the Northern Japanese Alps in the Hakuba Valley, all about an hour to 70 minutes away from Nagano City. While each resort caters to a different type of skier and/or snowboarder, they all enjoy beautiful scenery of the mountains and plentiful powder snow.
Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park
At the entrance to the Hakuba Valley are Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, two distinct resort areas connected by lift and shuttle bus. Hakuba Goryu’s Toomi Slope is perfect for beginners working on their ski and snowboarding skills, while the top of the mountain offers a variety of intermediate runs with intermittent ungroomed sections. Head over to Hakuba 47 for one of the country’s most historic ski parks with a variety of small to large kickers, boxes, rails and other items.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/9:00, Total Travel Time/65 min.)
65 minutes to Hakuba Goryu from Nagano Station by bus.
By Car
55 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Hakuba Goryu via Rtes. 19, 31 and 33.
Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort
Happo-One (pronounced oh-nay) is one of the main ski areas in the Hakuba Valley offering wide-open groomed runs and stunning vistas. There are 16 courses total covering the Happo-One ridgeline, with a relatively even mix of beginner, intermediate and expert runs. In the middle of the resort are the Usagidaira and Oakley Terraces, where you can grab a drink or bite to eat and enjoy the scenery of the Hakuba Valley before you.
Be aware that when traveling by public transportation from Nagano Station, the resort is a 15-minute walk from the nearest bus stop.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/9:45*, Total Travel Time/100 min.*)
85* minutes to Happo Bus Terminal, then a 15-minute walk to the resort.
*Earlier arrival at 9:25 available on weekends.
By Car
60 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Hakuba Happo One via Rtes. 19, 31 and 33.
Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort
For the skiers and snowboarders with non-skier/non-snowboarder friends. In addition to picturesque Hakuba Mountain Harbor, the resort offers plenty of activities for those not strapping on any skis or boards. Hang out in the snow at the Iwatake White Park, take the kids sledding or tubing, ride in a buggy around the slopes and more at Iwatake Mountain Resort.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/9:40, Total Travel Time/95 min.)
95 minutes to Hakuba Iwatake from Nagano Station by bus. First bus arrives at 9:40.
By Car
65 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort via Rtes. 19, 31, 33, 148 and 433.
Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort
Thanks to its gentle, wide-open runs at the base of the mountain as well as its long, cruisy forest trail from the top, Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort is a great place for beginners. And for advanced riders, the resort provides plenty of ungroomed goodness in the Tsugaike Powder DBD zone (registration required to enter).
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/10:00, Total Travel Time/95 min.)
95 minutes to Hakuba Iwatake from Nagano Station by bus.
By Car
75 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort via Rtes. 19, 31, 33, 148 and 433.
Hakuba Norikura and Hakuba Cortina
At the end of the line in the Hakuba Valley are Hakuba Norikura and Hakuba Cortina. The two resorts are connected by lift, so you can ride both on one shared ticket. While Hakuba Norikura features plenty of spacious beginner and intermediate runs with designated tree-run areas in between, Hakuba Cortina is a steep bowl whose inner tree areas are all open as a self-responsibility zone with a few advanced runs cutting through.
We recommend traveling by car or taxi when heading from Nagano City to Hakuba Norikura or Hakuba Cortina, as the first bus of the day arrives at the resort between 11:10 to 11:30.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/11:10~11:30, Total Travel Time/90~110 min.)
90 minutes from Nagano Station on the Hakuba Line bus to Hakuba Norikura, or 110 minutes to Hakuba Cortina.
By Car
65 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Hakuba Norikura or 80 minutes by car to Hakuba Cortina.
The Greater Shiga Kogen Area
Shiga Kogen Ski Resort
Ranging in altitude from 1,400 to 2,300 meters, Shiga Kogen offers some of the finest snow in the region. This conglomeration of 18 individual resorts is also one of Japan’s largest ski resort areas. You could spend all day exploring its many courses with plenty left for the day after.
This resort offers some excellent scenery thanks to its high observation points, looking out over the Iiyama plain to the Northern Japanese Alps.
At the base of the mountain are the hot spring areas of Shibu and Yudanaka Onsen, where you can take a dip after a long day on the slopes. The snow monkeys of Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park are also just a stone's throw away.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/9:35, Total Travel Time/80 min.)
By bus, take the express bus from Nagano Station to Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki (80 min.). From there, you can begin skiing or take the ski resort shuttle bus to the ski area of your choice.
By Car
It is 65 minutes from Nagano Station to Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki by highway or 75 minutes by local roads. The road up to Shiga Kogen includes steep hills and numerous bridges, and within the area are several tunnels. Be careful of sudden road condition changes.
The Ski Resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen
Just to the north of Shiga Kogen are a group of ski resorts sandwiched between the Shiga mountains and Mt. Kosha. In addition to its early-to-open mountaintop area and powder-rich kiotoshi courses, Ryuoo Ski Park is known for the Sora Terrace, which offers spectacular views of Northern Nagano and the frequent sea of clouds below. X-JAM Takaifuji is a paradise for park skiers and snowboarders with kickers and jibs to suit riders of all levels. Attached to X-JAM, Yomase offers 13 groomed runs, bringing the total between the two to 26. Finally, Komaruyama is a smaller resort with connection to Ryuoo Ski Park.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/9:00, Total Travel Time/115 min.)
To access Ryuoo Ski Park, take the Nagano Dentetsu train line to Yudanaka Station (82 min.). From there, a 30-minute shuttle bus to the resort. Yomase and X-JAM Takaifuji are accessible from Yudanaka Station by taxi (15-20 min.).
By Car
About 55 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Ryuoo, X-JAM or Yomase ski resorts via the Joshin’etsu Expressway (Suzaka-Naganohigashi IC to Shinshu-Nakano IC).
Iiyama Nozawa Onsen Area
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort and Tangram Ski Circus
On the border of Niigata and Nagano Prefectures, Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is a medium-sized resort known particularly for its advanced tree run courses. In addition to those tree-covered, ungroomed slopes, there are also plenty of runs for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders as well. When combined with next-door Tangram Ski Circus, the total number of runs comes out to 51.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/9:20, Total Travel Time/75 min.)
From Nagano Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Iiyama Station (11 min.), then take the Notoma bus from the station to Madarao Kogen Ski Resort (30 min.).
By Car
It is 50 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Madarao Kogen Ski Resort when taking the highway (Suzaka-Naganohigashi IC to Toyota-Iiyama IC) or 55 minutes by local road.
Togari Onsen Ski Resort
Located in Iiyama City, Togari Onsen Ski Resort is a medium-sized ski resort with a smaller, more intimate feel than its nearby neighbor Nozawa Onsen. Its 16 runs have something for everything, leaning more towards intermediate and beginner slopes.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/9:24, Total Travel Time/68 min.)
From Nagano Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Iiyama Station (11 min.), then take a shuttle bus to Togari Onsen Ski Resort (20 min.).
By Car
It takes 55 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Togari Onsen Ski Resort via the Joshin’etsu Expressway (Suzaka-Naganohigashi IC to Toyota-Iiyama IC).
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
One of Nagano’s most well-known ski resorts with a charming hot spring village at its base. From winding forest trails and panoramic ridgetop runs to ungroomed bowls and 39-degree walls, the resort has over 40 different runs to suit skiers and snowboarders of any ability level. At the Uenotaira slope near the top of the mountain, you’ll also find a park with jumps, boxes, rails and a half pipe as well.
And after you’re done skiing, you can head into the village for a quick dip in one of its many hot springs.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/10:00, Total Travel Time/90 min.)
From Nagano Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Iiyama Station (11 min.), then take a shuttle bus to Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort (30 min.).
By Car
It is 60 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort via the Joshin’etsu Expressway (Suzaka-Naganohigashi IC to Toyota-Iiyama IC).
Myoko Kogen
Just over the border in Niigata Prefecture, Myoko Kogen is known for its namesake mountain and the heavy snowfalls here during winter. There are four main ski resorts at the base of Mt. Myoko. To the south, Myoko Suginohara has the area’s longest runs as well as a large terrain park. Next is Alpen Blick Ikenotaira Resort with its craft brewery and buffet restaurant. Further north are the interconnected Akakura Kanko and Akakura Onsen Resorts, and beyond that is an honorary mention, Seki Onsen, a small resort loved primarily by powder hounds.
Myoko Suginohara
Myoko’s longest ski resort with an altitude difference of 1,124 meters. There are 16 total courses around the resort as well as the area’s largest terrain park with plenty of kickers, side banks and jibs.
https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/myoko_kogen/index.htmlAccess
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/8:41, Total Travel Time/56 min.)
46 minutes from Nagano Station to Myoko Kogen Station, then a 10-minute taxi ride to the resort.
By Car
47 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Myoko Suginohara via Rtes. 37, 18 and 39.
Alpen Blick Ikenotaira Onsen Ski Resort
A smaller ski resort near the IC for easy access. A majority of the runs are beginner or intermediate with two short expert runs near the top of the mountain. The wide-open Kayaba slope is great for beginners to practice.
At the base of the mountain is Brewery Restaurant Tatra, where you can taste locally brewed Alpen Blick beer and enjoy the Western-style buffet (reservations necessary at least one day in advance).
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/8:38, Total Travel Time/53 min.)
46 minutes from Nagano Station to Myoko Kogen Station, then a 7-minute taxi to the resort.
By Car
45 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Akakura Kanko Ski Resort via Rtes. 37, 18 and 39.
Akakura Kanko and Akakura Onsen Ski Resorts
These two interconnected resorts below Mt. Maeyama in Myoko complement one another well. Akakura Kanko offers intermediate and advanced runs with several large, ungroomed areas while Akakura Onsen is a web of primarily beginner courses interspersed with the occasional intermediate run. You can ski from one resort to the other; however, the only way to reach Akakura Onsen from Akakura Kanko involves skiing down an intermediate slope first. A shuttle bus between the two resorts is also available.
Access
By Public Transportation (First Arrival/8:38, Total Travel Time/53 min.)
46 minutes from Nagano Station to Myoko Kogen Station, then a 7-minute taxi* to the resort.
*Buses are available, but there is a 50 to 60-minute wait when arriving from Nagano. See timetables here.
By Car
45 minutes by car from Nagano Station to Akakura Kanko Ski Resort via Rtes. 37, 18 and 39.
Rentals in Nagano City at Travel Hub Nagano City
The exterior of Travel Hub Nagano City, just a two-minute walk from Nagano Station
Rental skis via Woody's Rental
Rental powder boards
Travel Hub Nagano City's event space
Just two minutes on foot from Nagano Station, Travel Hub Nagano City offers up-to-date information on surrounding ski resorts as well as ski and snowboard rentals via Woody Rentals. You can rent full gear packages or individual pieces of ski wear, skis or snowboard. Reservations are recommended. Check their website below for more information.
Driving in Nagano During Winter
Roads around ski resorts may be covered in snow and/or ice during winter. Snow tires are essential for winter driving in Nagano. Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is also helpful in heavy snow conditions.
When driving in winter, remember to drive at a safe, comfortable speed. Leave plenty of room between cars. Be aware of changing road conditions, especially when crossing bridges or entering/exiting tunnels. If possible, utilize engine braking on steep hills to manage your speed.
